Establishing a Quantitative
3-Dimensional Map of Dopaminergic Neurons
My lab is interested
in how of apparently homogeneous groups of neurons in a well-defined
anatomical domain are partitioned into sub-populations with unique
functions. For example, all dopamine neurons of the midbrain express
tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, the enzyme that makes dopamine). Interestingly,
these TH expressing neurons can be placed into distinct cohorts based on
the markers calbindin and calretinin (both calcium binding proteins) and
GIRK-2 (a potassium channel). However, a well-defined spatial map of
their distribution and the precise quantitative assessment of these
sub-populations are lacking. Dopamine neurons are important for movement
behaviors as well as cognition and their perturbation or loss underpins
complex diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. We are
using sophisticated microscopy and imaging software to reconstruct the
full 3-dimensional map of these populations and to determine the numbers
of these neurons in specific quadrants on the spatial map. This project
can be significantly advanced in 10 weeks, as we are proficient in the
described methods. The project will be important in understanding how
dopamine neurons are distributed normally and will be used to shed light
on which populations are specifically affected, and in what area, in
certain neurological diseases.
